Loggins, Black Earn WCHA Weekly Awards After Semifinals

BLOOMINGTON, Minn.—No. 16 For the second-consecutive week, Northern Michigan University Men's Ice Hockey (25-14-3, 19-7-2-2 WCHA) junior forward Troy Loggins (Huntington Beach, California) is the Western Collegiate Hockey Association Offensive Player of the Week. Additionally, junior defenseman Ryan Black (Stillwater, Minnesota) earned his first career honor as the league's defensive player of the week.

As a team, the Wildcats defeated No. 17 Bowling Green State University in a three-game series to advance to the WCHA Championship. NMU earned the win in three-game with the deciding victory coming in overtime on Sunday night.

Loggins earns his second weekly offensive award in as many weeks after scoring two goals and three points over the weekend. Loggins was the semifinal round hero as he netted the game-winning goal in overtime on Sunday to seal the series win and send the Wildcats to the WCHA Championship. On Friday, Loggins scored a power play goal and added an assist in the 6-1 victory.

Black was another one of the hero's in Sunday's contest, earning an assist on the game-winning goal scored in overtime. It was his second assist of the game, as he also earned an assist on the freshman forward Joseph Nardi (Edmonton, Alberta) goal in the third period. For the season, Black is fourth on the team with 19 assists and is one of eight Wildcats to appear in all 42 games.

The Wildcats have now earned 13 weekly awards this season between seven different student-athletes. Loggins and sophomore defenseman Philip Beaulieu (Duluth, Minnesota) have each earned a weekly award three times, while senior forward Robbie Payne (Gaylord, Michigan), and senior defenseman Jordan Klimek (Langley, British Columbia) have each earned a weekly honor twice.

NMU will continue their season this weekend in the Berry Events Center against Michigan Technological University. Saturday's WCHA Championships will be a 7 p.m. puck drop in the Berry Events Center. It will be a one game championship with the winner earning an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament. The contest will also mark the first post season game between the two programs since the 1994 WCHA quarterfinals in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, which the Wildcats lost, 5-1.

Tickets for the series are series are sold out, while season ticket holders have until Wednesday at 5 p.m. to claim their seats.